Main menu

DTM America race series takes another step closer to reality

December 14, 2011

BMW revealed its DTM racer concept this summer. Photo by BMW

A new rules initiative could bring plans for a series for DTM touring cars in the United States a step closer to reality.

The organizers of the Super GT Series in Japan are on the verge of moving its regulations closer to those of the DTM for the 2014 season. This would increase the number of manufacturers with cars eligible to race in a DTM America series, originally announced for 2013, from three to six.

Plans for DTM America hinge on the manufacturers supplying a grid of cars for the series, which would be sanctioned by Grand-Am. Splitting a viable grid of 18 cars among the three DTM manufacturers--Audi, Mercedes and BMW--would mean the companies would fund six entries each, but that number could be halved if Super GT marques Honda, Toyota and Nissan also run cars.

Super GT plans to adopt chassis rules for its premier GT500 class that mirror those of the DTM. It is expected that its next generation of car will be built to the same dimensions and share the spaceframe structure of the new-for-2012 DTM contenders.

Super GT officials were in Germany this week investigating which of the common components shared by the three DTM manufacturers in its new low-cost formula can be used in the Japanese series. These include the carbon-composite safety cell and the transmission. Super GT will retain its existing engine formula, however. The GT500 cars are powered by 3.4-liter V8s, while DTM cars use 4.0-liter V8s.

BMW Motorsport boss Jens Marquardt described the initiative was as "a good step forward" in the drive for a viable DTM America. He said that different engine capacities would not be an obstacle to BMW competing with its new M3 DTM contender in either the U.S. or Japan because the company "envisages some kind of performance balancing."

The move toward common regulations was driven by BMW's return to the DTM for next season. A precondition of its entry in 2012 was an ability to race its M3-shaped contender in multiple markets.

Grand-Am vice president Dave Spitzer said he is aware of the latest moves by the Super GT organizers. Asked if the Japanese manufacturers could be part of the plans, he said, "There is nothing to report at the moment, except that despite a lack of public statements, the initiative [DTM America] is still very much alive."